Illegal Logging

Illegal logging is an immense, multi-billion dollar industry threatening forests worldwide. Some research even suggests that illegal activities make up more than 10 percent of the global timber trade, representing more than $150 billion per year.

Landowner Sakas Aonomo on a stockpile of logs at Log Camp 56, Wawai Guavi Block 3, Middle Fly in Papua New Guinea. His family opposes the logging companies and faces an uncertain future as logging threatens to destroy their land.

Illegal loggingis a major driver of deforestation around the world. Estimates indicate that at least half of all logging activities in vulnerable regions like the Amazon, Central Africa, Southeast Asia, and Russia are illegal.

What Qualifies as Illegal Logging?

Illegal logging includes:

Using corrupt means to gain access to forests

Cutting down trees without permission or in protected areas

Cutting down protected tree species

Extracting more timber than legally permitted

Fraudulent customs declarations when crossing international borders

Evading taxes and other charges on timber

While the environmental impacts of illegal logging are clear and well known, the social consequences are just as devastating. As an illicit and unregulated industry, child and forced labor, violation of indigenous land rights, and hazardous working conditions all go hand in hand with illegal logging across the world.